On 30th May 2007, John Ukec Lueth Ukec, Sudan’s ambassador to the United States was quoted at the Washington press conference, “I want you to know that the Gum Arabic which runs all the soft drinks all over the world, including the United States, mainly 80% is imported from my country,” which he said as he raised a bottle of Coca-Cola.

Gum Arabic is also known as Acacia gum since it is obtained from the Acacia tree. It consists of the hardened sap of different species of the Acacia tree. Nigeria, Mali, Senegal and Chad produce Gum Arabic on a commercial scale however Sudan dominates the world markets in this field.

Gum Arabic is a glue and a binder that is edible by humans – and that is how chewing gums, marshmallows, gum-drops and other confectionery give the distinct joy of having them. Other applications are widespread in water-colour paint, ceramics, photography, print-making and pyro-technics.